Feb 22, 2010 03:19 PM
11621 Views
No sooner I, heard about the new shopping mall, which has sprouted in my city {Chennai}, I had planned to visit the same. The mall is named as “Ampa Skywalk”, I am still searching where exactly are we doing the “Skywalk” in the mall. The mall is located in Aminjikarai – Annanagar junction in Chennai. Many parts or still under construction, so people can wait for some more time to make their visit.
Parking Skywalk:
The first thing you encoutner is parking whenever you visit a big mall, Ampa Skywalk has got a very well planned parking facility, for cars and bikes. Bikes are parked in the basement G1 & G2, whereas the cars are parked in top floors as well as in G1 & G2., they have got a spacious parking zone and well automated parking ticket system. While entering it’s fully automated, hence you will not have any delay in entering the mall, but while exit, you have semi automatic mode, where a manual intervention is required to collect parking charges, hence you will have a delay in getting outside the mall.
The parking cost is exorbitant and cannot be affordable by a middle class family. There is a fixed price for the first one hour, which is Rs. 15/-, and thereafter Rs. 5/- for every extra hours for bike. If you have spent around 4 to 5 hours then approximately you will be paying Rs. 25-30/- for parking alone.
Centre of Attraction:
As of now they are still under construction for few of the areas, the Centre of Attraction lies with Star Bazaar, which is located in the basement of Ampa Skywalk. People buy like MAD , whether they require the product or not, they just don’t give a thought, instead they buy it spontaneously by seeing the offer that’s placed. However, in very few items the offer is good, when compared to T.Nagar, this is not cheap. However, for Annanagar’s cost of living, this is definitely cheap.
Skywalk Security:
They have the metal detectors, installed in all entries, and they are checking the cars thoroughly like, how they do a security check in the star hotels. However, these checks are not enough, and there are many loop holes, like people walking outside the metal detectors and security person, not doing the work properly etc., .
Skywalk Shopping:
This shopping mall is loaded with different types of shopping booths, Adidas, Westside, Reebok, Star Bazaar and what not… The mall caters from lower middle class group to the rich and affluent. This is one of the plus point that is peculiar to this mall, when compared to Citi Centre and other malls.
Skywalk Food:
F3 a new type of debit card system, which is implemented in the Food Stall will definitely irritate you, myriad number of variety of food counters are available inside this mall. Pure Veg to Pure Non-Veg the range is very good. All the food counters are run by famous Food Giants in India. The only problem is F3 debit card, one has to purchase the debit card by paying Rs. 10/- and load it with Rs. XX amount of their choice. Once the loading is done, you can approach any of the food counter in the floor and order food, the same will be debited from the card, this food centre has self service enabled and don’t expect someone to serve you. Once you are done, you can give back the F3 debit card and get the balance amount along with the deposit amount Rs. 10/- back. If you have loaded the F3 debit card through Sodexo or Bank Debit/Credit Card, you have to either spend the entire amount or use/loose. Because they don’t entertain cash reversal on the same. The worst part is, if you want to buy something over and above the loaded amount, then you have to go back again for loading the debit card.
Skywalk Play Arena:
There is a play centre located near to the food counters, your kids and people who are kids in mind can enjoy a lot over here. Most of the games are "Video Games" type and there are few other games like ball throwing, chocolate picking, teddy bear grabber etc., This will really help kill time for adults and will be refreshing for children. However, this area is too crowded always.
Skywalk PVR:
PVR cinemas logo has been hoisted in the 4th floor, however they are yet to start their shows and Chennai is eagerly awaiting for the same.
Skywalk Verdict:
For people near Anna Nagar and around this is a new location to chill out. Upper middle class and affluent class people who have the habit of spending more is most welcome here. Different level of crowds can be witnessed. Good place to shop and spend time.
